ABSTRACT
General practice provided a primary care service to the whole population, and everyone in the United Kingdom has a right of access to a General Practitioners (GPs). The role of GPs is demand-led and covers preventive healthcare, acute and chronic diseases, business and personnel management, research, audit, training and teaching, as well as coordination between services for patients and their families. Independent contractor status is deemed to allow GPs greater control over their working practice, hours and staff, and to act as advocates on behalf of their patients. This is thought to encourage innovation, change and efficiency. From the GP's perspective, the addition to the team will allow redistribution of workload and will improve access, satisfaction and standards of care. The posts are a logical extension into the community of nurse practitioners aimed at improving health and social care for patients with long-term complex medical problems, the aim being to reduce hospital admissions.
